Durham worker named ‘Plant Operator of the Year’

Friday

Jan 25, 2013 at 3:15 AM

By Andrea Bulfinchabulfinch@fosters.com

DURHAM- Recognizing his work for operating and maintaining the town’s wastewater treatment plant for a number of years, superintendent of the plant Daniel Peterson has been named the regional 2012 wastewater treatment plant operator of the year by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

“This award and acknowledgment from the NHDES and the EPA are extremely well deserved,” town administrator Todd Selig wrote. “Dan takes tremendous pride in his work, and along with the entire DPW team at the wastewater treatment plant, keeps the facility running at optimal levels of performance.”

The Durham plant services both the town and the University of New Hampshire (UNH) and produces discharge at levels well below eight milligrams per liter, a level which all Great Bay communities have been asked to attain over the next five years.

Newmarket and other Great Bay communities have been tasked by the EPA to cap nitrogen discharge into Great Bay at three milligrams per liter, with the need to reach eight milligrams per liter within the next five years, a statement regarding Peterson’s award explains. However, the Great Bay Municipal Coalition have asked the EPA to consider issuing wastewater discharge permits that cap nitrogen at eight milligrams per liter, a level considered more easily attainable.

“Durham and UNH have invested in the Town’s wastewater treatment plant, year after year, spending approximately $12 million over the last decade to be responsible partners in addressing the declining quality of the Great Bay Estuary,” Selig said.

At the end of the month, Peterson will attend the annual New England Water Environment Association (NEWEA) in Boston at the Boston Marriott Hotel at Copley Place. There, he will be formally recognized by the EPA.

“Dan and the staff at the WWTP do a marvelous job and this recognition is well deserved,” Selig said.